We sat down with Louise Bennett our incoming Artistic Director to answer 5 burning questions about her plans for LVBS.
What drew you to London Vocational Ballet School and what excites you most about this role?
I have been working with the school in a freelance capacity over the past year, and have been really impressed by the passion, ethos and skill of the students and staff. Restaging my work 'A Frosty Fable' for Years 6-9 earlier this year gave me a chance to get to know the individual personalities of some of the young people and their teachers, and I found their curiosity, determination and sense of humour to be really inspiring. When I heard that the school was recruiting for an Artistic Director I jumped at the opportunity to apply, and the thing that excites me the most is the chance to support these brilliant young people over several years, as they discover who they are as artists and people.
How do you envision the future of LVBS under your artistic direction?
I want to build on the excellent work that everybody at LVBS is already doing, providing the highest standards of teaching, and staying engaged with not only the ever evolving requirements of the industry, but also our growing knowledge of how to best support young people in education. I plan to foster cross-industry partnerships, creating even more opportunities for young people to broaden their experiences in dance, and I envision that LVBS remains a leader in the industry, setting the standard for technical and artistic development, as well as for healthy working practices.
How do you plan to inspire and motivate students to reach their full potential both artistically and athletically?
I believe that each young person has something special to offer and I plan to provide them with all the tools they need to reach their full technical and artistic potential, always honouring their input and individuality. I plan to provide excellent teaching, the knowledge and skills in effective cross training, nutrition and rest, and an active focus on mental health. Artistically, I want to encourage and provide the opportunity for students to consume a diverse range of art, from the dance world and beyond, and I plan to bring inspiring guests from the industry to lead creative workshops. I also want to remind the students of the importance of having a part of life that is separate from ballet and their training - family, friends and other interests are not only important for our mental health, but also help us develop as artists!
Can you share a memorable experience from your career that you hope to bring to our students?
I don't think I can pinpoint one experience, but I am really lucky to have worked with numerous amazing dance practitioners throughout my career so far - I am really excited to not only share the knowledge that I have gained from them, but to have the chance invite them to the school to share their incredible work with the students.
In three words, how would you describe LVBS?
Inspiring, motivated, fun!
We can't wait to welcome Ms Bennett who will join us for Back to School Bootcamp in August!
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